my text ; and then adds, that the time past might well suffice to have lived after the manner of the Gentile world, whose ways it became them hence- forth determinately to renounce.
From the words before us I shall take occasion to ghew,
I. In what respects we also have wrought the will of the Gentiles — The unconverted man, whether Jew or Gentile, is cast into the same mould, and, in the main, walks in the same paths. The nominal Christian also has the same views, the same desires, the same pursuits. In some external matters he may differ from the Hea- then : but in the most essential parts of his conduct he accords with them. He resembles them,
1 . In an utter disregard of God —
[The Heathen, of course, cannot regard God, because they know him not, nor are at all acquainted with his will. The nominal Christian has in some little degree the knowledge of his will ; but he regards it no more than if he were utterly un- acquainted with it. " He professes to know God ; but in works he denies him."
On this subject let me appeal to yourselves. It is, I con- fess, a heavy charge, to say that you have hitherto " lived like Heathens." But I would put it to your own consciences, and ask, IVkat regard have you sheivn for God's authority P and, J'Vhat desire have you manifested to obtain his favour P You have had in your very liands the means of knowing his will: you profess to believe that the Scriptures have been given you by him, on purpose to instruct you in the knowledge of him. Have you been thankful for this revelation of his will ? Have you studied it with care, for the express pvu'pose of learhing how you might please and serve him acceptably ? Have you turned away from every thinu" which his word forbids ? Have you followed after every thing which his word enjoins? Have you embraced the whole of it as an infallible record, believing all that it reveals, and expecting with hope and fear the ac- complishment of all his promises and all his threats ? Have you, in short, " trembled at his word," as it became you to do ? I must further ask. Have you liumbled yourselves before him for all } our past transgressions ? Have you fled for refuge to the hope set before you ? Have you washed your souls daily \x\ the blood of the Lamb, even in that fountain which was opened for sin and for uncleanness ? Have you cried mightily to God for
the